DeKALB | People griped about NIU’s Convocation Center being a waste of money.

Students complained about the looooong, seven minute walk from the dorms. Boo-hoo.

Everyone challenged its staff, saying it wouldn’t draw “big time” acts.

Well, you were wrong.

Five years into its existence, the $36 million facility has grown steadily.

The Convo’s staff was guaranteed the scheduling of athletic events. What to schedule between the sporting events was the issue.

But they’ve come through.

How ingenious to sign Bill Cosby up for your first show; a comedy routine which appeals to tons of people.

Then Director John Gordon and his staff booked the Counting Crows and Dishwalla as the first major musical act to hit the Convo’s stage.

The Counting Crows and their hit “Mr. Jones” on the album “August and Everything After” spent 93 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 4. The group also became the first to appear two consecutive nights on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Couldn’t sign “big time” acts huh?

Guess what? It gets better.

You see, the Convo has a distinct advantage over major city venues. It can draw from a variety of cultural and geographic backgrounds.

Not only does the Convo sit in the center of country music land, but it’s only an hour drive from Chi-town.

How many venues have the ability to draw a large crowd for Ja Rule five days after hosting a monster truck rally? Drop the stereotyping. Be realistic. Not too many venues would be able to pull this off.

Here’s some more names for you. How about B.B. King, Ludacris and Wayne Brady. Anyone heard those names before? Thought so.

Oh wait, you said jazz, rap and comedy shows don’t do it for you?

Try these bands on for size.

O.A.R., Staind, and Brooks and Dunn opened the 2004 schedule. Ring any bells?

Oh, and by the way, this guy Dave Chappelle, who turned down millions of dollars from Comedy Central, made an appearance at the Convo.

I mean, the Convo only closed out the year with Bob Dylan, Incubus and that Big & Rich band. You know, the “Save a horse, ride a cowboy” guys?

Not that the song wasn’t a perfect fit for DeKalb’s horse slaughtering community. Wait. Oh, right.

Next, NIU rooted itself in the state by signing up to host the Illinois high school and junior high state wrestling meets. It also stole a high school basketball tournament from the Rockford Metro Center.

This year saw more of the same, and 2007 will be even better.

Did you see the Convo’s latest grab? Yes sir. Mr. John Mayer himself.

A friend of mine even came up to me two days ago and asked, “How in the world did NIU get John Mayer at the Convocation ‘corn’ Center?”

Beacause we’re ‘big time’ baby.